Aneta Alexová1,2, Anna Kågström1, Petr Winkler1,3, Lucie Kondrátová1, Miroslava Janoušková1. 1. 1 National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic. 2. 2 Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. 3. 3 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Internalized stigma negatively affects lives and prognosis of individuals with psychosis. AIM: This study aimed to identify correlates of internalized stigma among individuals with psychosis in a sample of community care users in the Czech Republic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 community service users with psychosis. A shortened version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI-10) scale was used alongside the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L), assessing health-related quality of life. Descriptive and linear regression analyses were performed in order to determine levels of internalized stigma and its correlates. RESULTS: High levels of internalized stigma were reported in 25% of participants. Lower internalized stigma levels were associated with better self-reported health status and being married, and higher internalized stigma with a longer period of time since initial contact with psychiatric care. CONCLUSION: Lower internalized stigma levels are associated with better self-reported health-related quality of life. In addition, clients having used psychiatric care for longer periods of time reported significantly higher internalized stigma levels. Therefore, authors suggest self-stigma reduction interventions based in a community setting with an emphasis on targeting clients with chronic psychosis.
BACKGROUND: Internalized stigma negatively affects lives and prognosis of individuals with psychosis. AIM: This study aimed to identify correlates of internalized stigma among individuals with psychosis in a sample of community care users in the Czech Republic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 community service users with psychosis. A shortened version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI-10) scale was used alongside the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L), assessing health-related quality of life. Descriptive and linear regression analyses were performed in order to determine levels of internalized stigma and its correlates. RESULTS: High levels of internalized stigma were reported in 25% of participants. Lower internalized stigma levels were associated with better self-reported health status and being married, and higher internalized stigma with a longer period of time since initial contact with psychiatric care. CONCLUSION: Lower internalized stigma levels are associated with better self-reported health-related quality of life. In addition, clients having used psychiatric care for longer periods of time reported significantly higher internalized stigma levels. Therefore, authors suggest self-stigma reduction interventions based in a community setting with an emphasis on targeting clients with chronic psychosis.
Entities:
Keywords:
CZEPOS; Internalized stigma; community care setting; correlates; psychosis